Dear Beloved Parish Family,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I am humbled and honored to introduce myself as your new Pastor/Parochial Administrator hailing from India. As I begin this sacred journey sitting in God’s presence before the Tabernacle and pray for you, my heart is filled with gratitude to God for the opportunity to serve this vibrant and faith-filled community. Together, we will grow in faith, love, and service, always cherishing the blessings that the Lord graciously bestows upon us.
Being Grateful to God
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
As we walk this spiritual path together, I invite you to join me in reflecting mindfully on the abundant gifts from our loving God:
The Gift of Precious Life: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)
The Gift of Independence and Freedom: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)
The Gift of Christian Faith: “For we live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
The Gift of Beautiful Churches to Worship: “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!” (Psalm 84:1)
The Gift of the Eucharist – Bread of Life: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” (John 6:51)
The Gift of God’s Presence – Emmanuel: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
The Gift of Music to Praise and Worship: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” (Psalm 96:1)
The Gift of Generous Hearts: “Give, and it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:38)
The Gift of Peace and Joy: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
The Gift of Good Health and Prosperity: “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health.” (3 John 1:2)
The Gift of Being Created in God’s Image: “So God created mankind in His own image.” (Genesis 1:27)
The Gift of Forgiveness and Mercy through Reconciliation: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.” (1 John 1:9)
The Gift of Baptism: “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that… we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)
The Gift of Priesthood from the Heart of Jesus: “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you.” (John 15:16).
The Gift of Beautiful Nature Around Us: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1)
The Gift of Fresh Air to Breathe: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
The Gift of Our Bishop in the Diocese of Saginaw: “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17)
Reflection Questions:
1. How do I recognize and appreciate God’s blessings in my daily life?
2. In what ways can I express gratitude to God and to others?
How can I strengthen my faith through the gifts God has given me?
Let me share a brief story from my own journey. During a particularly challenging time in my life, I found myself walking through a quiet park, burdened with worries. As I sat under a large tree, watching the leaves rustle and feeling the gentle breeze, I was reminded of God’s presence in even the smallest details of life. In that simple moment, surrounded by God’s creation, my heart filled with peace and gratitude. It was a powerful reminder that God’s gifts are always around us—sometimes, we just need to pause and notice them.
May our hearts be ever grateful, our spirits uplifted, and our lives a testament to the boundless love and mercy of our Heavenly Father. We sincerely thank Rev. Fr. Mike for serving the community of St. John XXIII for 5 years. I look forward to walking this faith journey with each of you, united in prayer, service, and gratitude.
In Christ’s love,
Fr. Sunil Kumar Pallela
Parochial Administrator